Entertainment
All set for maiden REFFA Awards
THE countdown has officially began for the maiden edition of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA), set to culminate in a dazzling Awards Night today at the Palms Convention Centre, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
Anticipation is high as the brightest talents from the African and Diaspora film industries prepare to walk the red carpet for an evening of celebrating cinematic excellence and ground-breaking storytelling. The special guest of honour is the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The REFFA Awards, a new and exceptionally prestigious awards scheme, is dedicated to honouring outstanding achievements in filmmaking across Africa and its global diaspora. This year’s edition, the maiden, has already captured international attention, having received over 121 film entries from 21 countries.
Following a rigorous screening process, the official nomination list was unveiled last month, featuring 112 nominees in 23 categories set to compete across various categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role, and Achievement in Cinematography.
The 2025 REFFA nominees represent the finest creative voices currently redefining African cinema. Industry professionals, including established directors, rising stars, and celebrated technical artists, will gather to see who takes home the coveted trophies.
Key categories feature tight competition, highlighting films like RISE (Zimbabwe) and Murder In Mind (Ghana) for Best Short Film, and actors such as Ikechukwu Onunaku (Nigeria) and Roselyn Ngissah (Ghana) vying for individual accolades. “We are proud of the calibre of films submitted this year—works that tell authentic African stories with creativity and technical depth. The diversity of voices and themes demonstrates how far our continent’s film industry has evolved,” Selassie Ibrahim, Executive Director, REFFA noted.
The awards night will be preceded by a 3-day film festival which will start on December 10 to 12, 2025. There will be perfomances from Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, Empress Gifty, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa band and Patchbay Band.
The Regal Film Festival and Awards promises to be an unforgettable night of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
Fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, and industry stakeholders gathered at the A&C Mall at East Legon on Saturday as Ghanaian fashion brand, Neesa Atelier officially opened its newest retail outlet to unveil an exclusive capsule collection inspired by West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The launch, held as an intimate ‘Sip & Shop’ experience, marked a significant milestone for the growing fashion brand as it expanded its physical presence while showcasing its latest collection, Dust & Raffia.
The collection offers a creative exploration of the cultural links between Ghana and Mali, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion design. Guests at the event were given a first look at the limited-edition pieces, which featured a hand-spun cord, raffia, jute, and Bogolan (mudcloth) elements.
According to the Creative Director of Neesa Atelier, Pamela Sarkodee, the collection celebrates the enduring connections among African communities and highlights the beauty of indigenous craftsmanship.
“This collection celebrates the stories that connect us across borders. By bringing together Bogolan, raffia, jute, and cordwork, we wanted to create pieces that honour heritage while presenting a contemporary vision of African luxury,” she said.
Throughout the event, guests toured the new retail space, interacted with the collection, and enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience that included special in-store offers. The occasion also provided an opportunity for fashion lovers to engage with the brand’s vision of blending culture, creativity, and community.
The Dust & Raffia collection draws inspiration from the textures, symbols, and traditions that have connected Ghanaian and Malian communities over generations. Through the use of natural materials and handcrafted techniques, the collection seeks to preserve cultural narratives while presenting them through modern fashion.
The new A&C Mall outlet has been designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, giving them access to Neesa Atelier’s signature collections as well as future releases within one of Accra’s leading retail and lifestyle destinations.
Industry observers say the expansion reinforces Neesa Atelier’s growing reputation within Ghana’s fashion industry as a contemporary African brand committed to celebrating identity, heritage, and craftsmanship through innovative design.
The Dust & Raffia capsule collection is currently available for pre-order, with a wider public release expected in the coming weeks.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The search for Ghana’s next beauty and purpose-driven ambassador kicks off Saturday, June 27, 2026, as auditions open for the historic 69th edition of Miss Ghana.
Aspiring contestants will converge at Oak Plaza Hotel, East Airport, Spintex Road, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The event will bring together young women from across the country ready to represent their regions and compete for the ultimate crown.
Organized by Exclusive Events Ghana, the pageant continues its mission to identify women who embody beauty, intelligence, leadership, discipline, and passion for community service.
The eventual winner will represent Ghana at the Miss World pageant and lead charitable projects through the Miss Ghana Foundation.
This year’s edition carries the theme “Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy”, celebrating 69 years of promoting purpose-driven leadership, cultural pride, and female empowerment.
Speaking ahead of the auditions, Inna Patty, CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana, said “For nearly seven decades, Miss Ghana has empowered young women to inspire change, celebrate culture, and represent the pride of Ghana to the world. Now, a new chapter begins. The countdown to Miss Ghana @69 is on.”
To qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 26 years old, be confident, morally upright, community-minded, and able to serve as a Ghana ambassador locally and internationally
The judges will also consider the communication skills, confidence, creativity, and personality of applicants.
Aspiring queens will have the opportunity to showcase unique talents like singing, dancing, spoken word, rap, or other creative expressions while engaging judges on national development issues.
Prospective queens are to download application forms and view full entry requirements on the Miss Ghana website.
Miss Ghana 2026 is powered by Exclusive Events Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
